You need to know where your facility stands in terms of equipment, training and storage. In other words, you’re going to need to get audited. The procedure does not have to be a hard one but it is definitely necessary. While each shop may go through the process differently, there are some common aspects which you should be aware of.

The key thing you must know about the audit process is to do it as soon as possible. It’s not necessarily going to be the same for each shop. For some, it may be relatively short but for others, it could take a while. Auditing time does not include the time it takes to convert, so start now if you haven’t already.

There are a number of things that you can expect or should be prepared for when your shop gets audited. Firstly, do not perform the audit yourself. Shop owners may know their facilities better than anybody else but this is a task that requires experience and specific training. What you should do is contact a waterborne compliant paint company, like Dupont, which already provides the service.

If you’re wondering what is going to be checked, the answer is everything that can have an effect on your shop’s ability to use waterborne. This includes preparation area and practices, existing colour tools, storage room and inventory practices, mixing area and equipment, waste and paint handling, and booth and compressor specifications. If the auditors tell you that they need to see it, it’s in your shop’s best interests to comply. Oversights could lead to higher costs down the line, or it could prolong the time it takes until you can make the full conversion.

Remember, the entire process for becoming waterborne compliant is a lengthy one. There’s no such thing as starting too early. The last thing you want for your shop is to be stuck in mid-conversion while everybody else has finished and is doing business. Find a paint company that has experience and expertise and get cracking.

An initial audit is necesssary to determine your needs in terms of equipment and training. Call your jobber or paint company to set up an appointment. Remember, going early is a good thing. Don't be the last one to jump on board.